While Netflix is certainly an amazing streaming service for many people, it may not be right for you. Just as there are pitfalls to cutting the cord, there are downsides to subscribing to Netflix.

So, before you hop aboard the Netflix hype train, take a moment to consider the problems with the streaming service. Is Netflix worth it? In this article, we examine the disadvantages of Netflix.

1. Limited Regional Selections

Of all the drawbacks to Netflix, one is undeniably bad for viewers: The number and quality of movies and TV shows you have access to will depend on where you live.

For example, if you live in the United States, there will inevitably be times when you want to watch something that's only available on Netflix Canada or Netflix UK. This happens very rarely, but when it does, it's annoying. We can't imagine how frustrating it is for people outside the US wanting to watch Netflix content available exclusively in the United States.

There are, of course, ways to watch everything on Netflix no matter where you live, the most common method being the use of a VPN. Though Netflix theoretically cracked down on their usage, many paid services still work. We recommend CyberGhost or ExpressVPN for VPNs that work with Netflix.

2. Netflix Has an Outdated Library

The other big complaint about Netflix—which has been one of its sore spots ever since the streaming service went live—is that its library is never up-to-date. These days, only Netflix originals can really be considered timely and trendy.

Due to licensing agreements with TV networks, it doesn't make sense to let Netflix stream episodes as they're released on a network because that would kill any incentive for people to watch the networks themselves.

Netflix's strength is binge-watching, which means it's good for catching up on TV shows just before the next season begins airing. That's why most of Netflix's library is about one year old. Networks aren't willing to let Netflix load up its library with recent content.

Why one year, though? Because that's when full-season DVD sales are still profitable, and that's also one reason films are so late to join Netflix's library. Publishers only start licensing with Netflix when sales of a season, show, or movie have run their course.

3. Internet Requirements

The thing about Netflix (along with any other streaming app) is that the entire service is contingent upon your internet connection quality. Whether you're watching YouTube, Twitch, or Netflix, your ISP could be the difference between watching 240p, 720p, or 4K videos.

Netflix internet connection recommendations screenshot

If your internet goes down, then there's no Netflix. If people on your network are watching YouTube or playing games and consequently hogging up your bandwidth, Netflix will stutter. And if your internet speed is bad, the video quality will suffer. Remember, Netflix automatically decides stream quality based on the health of your connection. Sure, you can still download Netflix shows and movies, but that's going to take a lot of extra time and work.

Compare that to Blu-ray or DVD: you just pop the disc into the right player, and you get the same quality all the time, and you can keep watching even if your internet connection goes out. The value of this reliability cannot be overstated.

4. Data Cap Consumption

While we're on the topic of internet connections, let's not forget that data caps are a very real nuisance to consider when streaming media—especially for videos, which can eat up more than 1GB/hour depending on how much quality you demand when watching movies and TV shows.

Indeed, data caps are a serious threat to services such as Netflix. If you have trouble visualizing just how bad the problem is, consider this example:

  • 1,000 hours at Low quality.
  • 425 hours at Standard quality.
  • 100 hours at High quality.
  • 40 hours at Ultra HD quality.

These estimates are based on data usage details posted on the Netflix website.

And these figures assume you do nothing else besides Netflix. With Ultra HD becoming the norm in home entertainment, these figures are simply unacceptable. If you have a capped internet connection, beware: Netflix will consume your data faster than you think.

5. No Ownership of Media

Even though you pay for Netflix, you don't own anything on it. If you buy a DVD, it's yours. With Netflix, your payments disappear into thin air.

After one year, you will have paid anywhere from $84 to $240, depending on which Netflix plan you choose. However, you'll have nothing to show for it except the memories of whatever TV shows and films you watched during that time.

This is one of the big tragedies of joining the streaming generation. We're seeing a decline in entertainment media ownership, which puts you at the mercy of content publishers and streamers.

The worst example of this is that streaming services remove shows and films at any time. Nothing is more irritating than binge-watching a popular show, only to find that it has disappeared when you're only halfway through.

If you want to own your media, try using one of the best free torrent sites to download your content.

6. Subscription Value

Netflix encourages binge-watching. In fact, it's such an integral aspect of the service that the word "Netflix" is pretty much synonymous with "binge-watching" these days. Once you start a show, it's really hard to stop.

Television is also addictive, but it's much easier to walk away when a show ends because you can't control whether a show can be marathoned.

And it's not just because Netflix makes it really easy to move from one episode to the next, although that does play a big part. It's because Netflix is a subscription service. There's no free Netflix trial, and you pay the same no matter how much you watch, so watching more in a month means wringing more value out of your subscription.

Netflix plan selection screenshot

On the other hand, if you don't watch much at all, then Netflix may not be worth the price tag. If you go a month without watching anything, then you've basically thrown away your money.

7. Loss of Channel Surfing

This point is minor in the bigger picture but still worth considering if you haven't cut the cord yet: You can't surf channels and just watch whatever's playing. You always have to pick something, which isn't always that easy.

Screenshot of Netflix Top 10 US Shows

Some workarounds to simulate channel surfing based on certain genres exist, but even those tend to be riddled with bugs and/or veer too far from the real thing. There's a charm to knowing that a show is playing live, and Netflix doesn't have that.

If you're really stuck on what to watch, you can now see what's popular on Netflix in your region.

8. There Are Plenty of Netflix Alternatives

According to an article by Media Play Now, Parrot Analytics data suggests that Netflix's market share has dropped since 2021, reaching all-time lows at 48% global and 46% US market share. However, those cuts of the consumer pie still make Netflix the most popular streaming service by a long shot.

Still, the market is becoming more crowded. Some of the best Netflix alternatives have emerged in recent years, including Peacock and Paramount+. Fandango Media purchased and infused new life into Vudu, a free streaming service. Major media corporations, including Paramount and NBCUniversal, are putting up a good fight to give Netflix a run for its money.

Almost every other service provider is cheaper than Netflix, and you'll even find free options such as Freevee, Tubi, and Vudu. If you've routinely found yourself in the "last day to watch on Netflix" panic, check out Hulu or Peacock; you may be pleasantly surprised to find your favorites have found a new home.

So, Is Netflix Worth It?

Again, let us reiterate that we are huge fans of Netflix. Indeed, our appreciation of it far outweighs any gripes we might have. It has saved a lot of people a lot of money and has re-imagined what it means to watch TV in the 21st century.

So, is Netflix worth the money? Well, that depends on your budget, streaming preferences, and home internet connection.